Eliasch confirmed as President of FIS through controversial election

On May 26, at the 53rd FIS Congress, Johan Eliasch was confirmed as President of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation. However, while ​retiring Vice President Peter Schröcksnadel and Vice President Dexter Paine received standing ovations and FIS Honorary Memberships, Eliasch had a slightly less warm welcome.

Some delegations claim that this election was not truly democratic because it guaranteed that Eliasch would win.

The ballot only had one name on it – Johan Eliash. Because of the absence of an opposing candidate, it would have been nearly impossible for Eliash to lose the election. The only way for him to lose would have been if everyone had boycotted the vote. Some delegations chose to do that, but Eliasch received 70 affirmative votes from the 117 members in attendance, meaning 47 abstained.

Croatia delegate Vandran Pavlek was the first to boycott the vote, with the delegation from Swiss Ski and the German Ski Association among those who followed Pavlek’s lead.

According to Bernhard Agger, the managing director of Swiss Ski, the delegations that chose not to vote in the election may consider taking legal action.

Additionally, there were 18 persons elected to two-year terms as members of the new FIS Council. 

• ARJES Mats (SWE) * – 96 Votes
• DIONNE Deidra (CAN) – 107 Votes          
• GOSPER Dean (AUS)* – 102 Votes      
• KAST Magdalena (ARG) – 96 Votes                    
• KUMPOST Roman (CZE)* – 98 Votes         
• LEHMANN Urs (SUI)* – 107 Votes       
• MINEV Tzeko (BUL)* – 81 Votes                     
• MURASATO Aki (JPN)* – 103 Votes
• ORTLIEB Patrick (AUT) – 105 Votes
• PIGELET Anne-Chantal (FRA) – 84 Votes         
• RODA Flavio (ITA)* – 114 Votes
• ROESTE Erik (NOR)* – 106 Votes                  
• SMREKAR Enzo (SLO)* – 113 Votes                   
• STEINLE Franz (GER)* – 93 Votes                    
• STEVENS Fiona (NZL) – 78 Votes                       
• TOUSSAINT Patrick (AND) – 83 Votes
• UUSITALO Martti (FIN)*  – 99 Votes                    
• ZHENG Liangcheng (CHN)* – 85 Votes

Some other changes passed through Congress as well.

The FIS is now called “International Ski and Snowboard Federation” instead of “International Ski Federation,” but will retain FIS as its official abbreviation.

The Saudi Winter Sports Federation and the Uruguayan Ski and Snowboard Association received approval as associate members.

The FIS now recognizes both the Ski and Snowboard Association of Thailand and the United Arab Emirates Snow and Ice Sports Federation as full members.

The Ski Association of Slovakia replaces the Slovakia Ski Association while maintaining full membership status.

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